1983Zsled

As the title says how much play should there be in a roller tipped rocker arm?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-Chevy-4340-Vortec-Self-Aligning-Rocker-Arms-1-52-/380526071339?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item58991f0e2bPRW 0835019 1.52 x 3/8" Sportsman Steel Roller Tip Self-Aligning Rocker Arm

The reason I ask is because I put on a set about 1000 miles ago and there is now a rocker arm click coming from the valve train. Not all, but only a few. I have adjusted them several times with different methods no changes. 1/4. 1/2, 2/3, 3/4 of a turn pre-load.....

Here are my engine specs 350
Vortec 906 heads
comp cams 981 valve springs, brand new three angle valve job
lunati lifters and cam - old part number 60102 262/268 cam
No coil bind.
Hardened push rods and the push rod holes were drilled out to 1/2 inch so they are not hitting.
Perfect contact pattern on the tip of the valve...right in the middle.

One thing I noticed is that when I spin the roller tip in my fingers there is approx. .020" play in the roller tip. They all seem to be about that? so how are you supposed to quiet that up? every time the valve moves up or down that play is going to click......

now I'm gonna say the magic words so someone with a better skill with search engines can show me where to look! I tried searching for a site that would tell you what the tolerances were for roller tip play and I could not find it.....

Anybody have any info on this? Is it standard? I have read that these roller tips are crane knock offs and they are prone to "noise"

danclemts

iTrader: (1)

I just installed these on my 89 TPi 305 yesterday, I only went a quarter turn past clicking . Later that night I got valve noise on startup. Took valve covers off today and a few were a bit loose, went another quarter turn and they are all quiet again. Only put 20-30 miles on them so far. There should be preload on the rocker tips so I would not expect any more noise than a standard rocker after oil pressure builds, we shall see. I do know that replacing my worn OEM rockers gave a seat of the pants power increase, I got an inch or two more vacuum at idle also. Not sure how much my OEM rockers were worn though. I was in a hurry and just did intakes , will do exhaust rockers this weekend.

1983Zsled

Can you do me a favor and see how much play there is on the roller tip of the rockers you haven't installed? Not side to side but between the roller tip and the shaft the roller is on? When I installed mine I had a seat of the pants increase as well....funny how the old noodle works! I have been reading a lot and from what I have read and seen on youtube I guess the noise is normal? It seems to me that any clackity clicks are metal on metal contact that is abrupt and harsh. Obviously unwanted. IDK?

danclemts

iTrader: (1)

yeah, no problem, Going by there in a few actually.

danclemts

iTrader: (1)

grabbed a few of them, no appreciable play to shaft, they were sitting in oil though, maybe they wear? are you getting good oil to the tips?

1983Zsled

Ya... I'm running 30lbs at idle 60 at cruise. I tried adjusting them while running method and during that time I noted that all are getting good oiling. I pinned my rocker studs when I ported the heads so I know the studs aren't pulling up... I don't know I guess its normal? Thanks for checking ! much appreciated...
I just noticed your car in your profile....In 1985 my shop teacher bought one of those Volvo's new. He bragged about how his Turbo wagon would beat any car in the lot. I had a 65 Chevelle SS 300 hp - 327 and 4 sp. he lost...... After he was kinda embarrassed. Cool to see you putting in a sbc in there. I bet it hauls now!

danclemts

iTrader: (1)

It runs good, few hundred pounds lighter than a 3rd gen, good brakes, suspension, 3.73 rear gears, fairly rigid chassis, spins the 215/55/16's going into 3rd most days.
sleeper car except for the sound


The turbos can be made to haul too, My wife has an 87 wagon with the 2.3 turbo, turn up the boost to 13 lbs, few other tricks and its faster than a stock 3rd gen 5.7 Camaro. In 1986, they had 175 hp stock at 8 lbs of boost, lots for the time

1983Zsled

Sounds like fun.... I checked my roller tips again this afternoon and they all have the same play..... I guess they are supposed to be that way. I sent a message to PRW so we will see what they say... The noise isnt super loud its just a pain. The old brain thinks something needs to be adjusted. I'm seriously thinking about going to a traditional style long slot 1.6 ratio like this;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Rocker-Arms-sb-Chevy-305-350-Vortec-Self-Aligning-Style-1-6-Ratio-sbc-/200773568923?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ebf09899b&vxp=mtr

danclemts

iTrader: (1)

Hope i don't have that to look forward too, let us know what PRW says

1983Zsled

Spoke to PRW rep today. Very helpful! He went into the store room and checked the play and advised that there is noticeable play both side to side and on the roller tip shaft. I have been doing a lot of reading about the Comp cams version, and apparently the noisy clatter is normal with the steel roller tips. I can't live with it so I ordered a set of 1.6 Scorpion full rocker rollers. Received them today and in doing my checks of the product and cleaning I'm very impressed. Nice solid looking product. The roller tip is in the exact place on each rocker, and has very little side to side or shaft play. The roller trunnion operates very smoothly. I'm going to put these on and hopefully the loud lifter clack with disappear. Another case of you get what you pay for....

3rdgenmaro

iTrader: (9)

Glad you went with scorpions. I had a set of those PRW POSs in my earlier years. They are junk. The scorpions are good pieces, Ive got them on my camaro now.

1983Zsled

Nice! The more I look at these Scorpions the more I like them! I shoulda just spent the cash in the first place! I guess I'm gonna find out in few hours how noisy they are but since you have them how noisy are they?

danclemts

iTrader: (1)

I've probably got 500 miles on my PRW 1.52's, so far so good, I imagine their qc allows a few to slip through with sloppier tolerances, price we pay for buying cheap.

3rdgenmaro

iTrader: (9)

Mine aren't noisy at all.

The Project

iTrader: (6)

Installed Comp Cams Magnum Roller Rockers last weekend (along with Comp CM rods and Beehive springs). Gave the nuts 3/4 turn past hand tight (low pressure) and hand tight on the nut locks.

1983Zsled

That's good to know. I just finished up mine. about 3hrs start to finish and I double checked the lash going 1/2 turn past zero, using the up and down method on the push rod. As I'm going to 1.6 's I checked everything over real good, no coil bind, clearance to bottom of retainer is good, I drilled out the push rods to 1/2" when I had the heads off last year so no issues there. The contact pattern on the top of the valve stem is a little bit outside towards the exhaust but it is a narrow sweep that i can live with. Probably .050" shorter rods would have been perfect. Maybe I will do it over the winter.... Didn't get around to firing it up though will have to wait as Mama bear is in bed. Best not to wake the bear!....lol I will let you know how I like them and try to post a pic.

1983Zsled

I took the car out this weekend. Wow! what a difference in the seat of the pants dyno. Less noise and way more performance. Here are a few pics. I think they look nice!
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